Long-Distance Dancing and Collaborations-A New Adventure

When I first heard of the concept behind ‘long-distance’ dancing I was immediately intrigued. I watched a short video about choreographer Netta Yerushalmy and her experience with using long distance dancers in creating her work “Devouring, Devouring”.  I was completely fascinated by this idea, and wanted to try creating something long-distance myself, but was unsure of how to go about it. So, I put the idea on the back burner. I happen to be an artist who has moved around a lot in the last few years and has met some really amazing movers along the way. Sometimes, the practicality of life can get in the way of being able to collaborate and create art with some of those wonderful artists I’ve met in my life journey, due to no longer living in the same geographical area as they. And like most artists I struggle with finances, finding funding for various projects, finding work in the field in general, and finding quality dancers that have the time and the interest in collaborating.

In today’s economic times, artists from all walks of life are feeling the pinch. Grants are getting harder to come by, as less money is being allocated for them, and the stipulations for the eligibility requirements needed to apply, have become steeper. Some of the larger funding grants you can’t even apply for, you have to be nominated by a distinguished panel to even be in the running. As a result, only well- known, highly regarded artists, tend to be the recipients of these particular types of grants. At the moment, Conversion Dance Project is not a ‘non-profit’, so that eliminates a lot government grants as well, creating another stumbling block. Then, there are crowd funding venues, which are great, but even they can be unstable. For instance, there is always the possibility looming that you will not make your projected financial goal for your project, which can be extremely stressful.

Another obstacle is that most dance artists are incredibly busy working at multiple things trying to make enough money to survive. As a result, working around their availability time for rehearsals can be extremely tricky and cumbersome. Also, flying back and forth on your own dime to set work, is not always a realistic option. So for me, I felt that collaborating on a project long distance seemed to provide a really creative way around a lot of these obstacles. Albeit, creating something long distance may bring problems of its own, but I’m willing to accept the challenge.

So how does it work? My long distance collaborator and I have exchanged ideas on the overall concept for the creation of a solo work, which will eventually be danced by my collaborator. We are currently in the process of exchanging rehearsal footage we have recorded of ourselves, for feedback and direction of the work. I will then take this feedback along with the extensive footage I have reviewed, from both my collaborative partner and myself, and create an entire new solo, fusing information that has been gathered by both parties. Finally, the new solo work will be danced by myself and recorded in the studio and sent to my collaborative partner to then learn. Where is the work going to go from there? Where will it be performed? That update will come later.

Long distance dancing may not be for everyone, and it may not be successful for me, but I can’t deny that it doesn’t have its benefits, so I’m willing to give it a try. And I certainly don’t think that all work should be created this way. I don’t think working long-distance should replace working face to face in the studio together. I just think when you sometimes find yourself in a unique situation; it’s time to get creative. And this creative journey seems to be bringing two artists together who live on opposites sides of the country and on budget. Can’t beat that! And when I start to consider what people may think about this particular endeavor, I just think of what Twyla Tharp said, “The thing about creativity is, people are going to laugh at it, get over it”, and I press on.

So who is my long distance dancing collaborator? None other than the lovely Katie Wiegman. Katie is originally from New Mexico, a graduate from New World School of The Arts, and an independent artist working and living in Miami, Florida. I first met Katie at a Kota Yamazaki master class in Miami, and then again in a Gaga based, Ohad Naharin’s movement language, master class with Lazaro Godoy, and yet again in a workshop by Kyle Abraham at Inkub8. I was always so intrigued by her unique movement quality. We struck up a casual friendship and had talked about creating something together but never got the opportunity before I moved away from South Florida to re-locate to Arizona. However, this long distance dancing collaboration is allowing us to finally get the opportunity to create some art together; just another one of its perks.

Here is to starting this new exciting journey into ‘long-distance dancing’ and collaborations!

 -Artistic Director, Crystal Lewis

Meet the Collaborators Below.

Katie Wiegman

Artistic Director, Crystal Lewis

Photo by Jenny Gerena